COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE OF EAST TEXAS - HOUSTON


Call Us: 713-208-1314
cockerinfo@swbell.net

Navigation

Home Page

Available Dogs
Pending Adoptions
Fostering
Re-homing

Alumni News
Memorials
Poems

About Us
Cocker Info
Faq's
Favorite Links

 

Adoption Page

In order to speed up the adoption process, please submit an on-line application in advance of the adoption event you plan to attend so we can process your application. It can take a few hours to a few days to process an application. The information below will answer many of your questions.

Adoption Criteria

  • Applicant must be an adult with the responsibility for maintaining a household (no students).
  • Home ownership (house, condo or townhome) with a fenced yard is preferred although not a requirement.
  • Renters (apartment, house, condo or townhome) must have the permission of the landlord/management and may be required to show proof pet deposit has been paid.
  • Applicant must have the knowledge and consent of all adults living in the household.
  • Applicant must have the time, energy and financial capability to support a cocker spaniel.
  • Applicants with young children are considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Adoptions outside the greater Houston area (including out of state) are considered if the applicant has a veterinarian and/or Cocker Spaniel Rescue can arrange a home visit. Scroll down for more information on out of state adoptions.
  • There are special criteria to adopt young puppies. Scroll down to learn more.
  • Approval should not be construed to mean the applicant can select any dog. We try to honor the adopters request but if we feel a specific dog(s) is not a good match, we may still decline the adoption of a particular dog to you. We put a lot of effort into matching dogs to forever homes.
  • Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas has the right to either deny or approve applications without explanation.

The Adoption Process

Our goal is to find the best homes possible for our Cocker Kids. Consequently the application and interview process asks many questions of potential adopters.

The adoption process starts when you submit an application either on-line, in the mail or at an adoption. Please answer every question on the application. Failure to do so slows the application process. If you have difficulty with the on-line adoption form, please e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net.

Please note that the adoption contract is a separate document from the application. The contract will be signed at the time you pay the fee and take possession of the dog. You will also need to provide picture identification at the time of adoption. You will know the on-line application is successfully completed if you see a dog licking the computer screen.

CSR may verify employment, confirm home ownership, contact landlord and/or contact your veterinarian. If a home visit is required it usually takes one to two weeks depending on the availability of a volunteer to conduct the home visit at a time mutually convenient with the applicant. Home visits are done by appointment. We won't just drop in.

If there are questions about your application or clarification is needed, you will be contacted by e-mail or telephone.

An interview may be done over the telephone or in person.

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas has the right to either deny or approve applications without explanation. Approval should not be construed to mean the applicant can select any dog. If we feel a specific dog(s) is not a good match, we may still decline to adopt that particular dog to you.

Please be patient. Our organization is manned completely by volunteers most of whom work full-time. If you aren't contacted in some manner within three days of submitting the application please e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net or leave a message on the hotline at 713 208-1314.

Puppy Policy

Puppies are not released until they are at least 8 weeks old. We do not adopt infant puppies (less than 4 months) to homes with children less than 7 years old, apartment dwellers or to homes where no one is home during the day. All puppies must be neutered and Cocker Rescue reserves the right to reclaim the dog back if proper documentation is not made available to the organization at the specified time. For additonal information on the process to adopt a puppy from CSR, click this link to the Puppy Adoption Process

The Cost of Adoption

The adoption fee is $250 payable in cash or by check. Credit cards are not accepted.
  • This includes immunizations: distemper-hepatitis-paraifluenza-parvo (DHPP), bordatello and rabies.
  • All dogs are spayed or neutered unless there are extenuating circumstances.
  • The dog may have been treated for other health issues.
  • The dog has either tested heartworm negative or has been treated for heartworms.
  • Our volunteer will tell you as much as she/he knows about the dog's health treatments. You will also receive vet records on the dog either at the time of adoption or in the mail within two weeks.
In addition to the adoption fee, plan on spending more in the first few weeks. Food, bed, toys, leash, collar, and most importantly a visit to the veterinarian for an exam, heartworm preventative and flea protection.

Owning a cocker spaniel is expensive. It can easily cost $1,200+ a year. High quality food, monthly grooming, beds, crates, toys, treats, etc. contribute to the expense as well as vet visits for problems over and above the annual immunization visit. Annually you can anticipate a visit or two to the vet for eye conditions, ear infections, skin problems, stomach issues, orthopedic problems, urinary tract infections or an injury.

Adoption Agreement

Please read the contract carefully - You must check the box stating that you have read and understood the contract before the application will process. As part of the adoption process, Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas, Inc. (CSR) does follow-ups on our placements. We will call and if deemed necessary, do a home visit. The adoption is not final for 30 days following placement. During that time, you are considered to be fostering our rescue and you are totally responsible for its care, including veterinary care. We reserve the right to void the adoption and pick up the dog.

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas has NO BACKGROUND INFORMATION on the animal's previous environment, behavioral problems, including biting (if any) and medical history. We cannot guarantee the dog's health although we attempt to alert the adopter to any known health issues. In most cases the age of the dog is estimated but your veterinarian may age it differently. Our veterinarians may not have identified every physical problem the dog has. Some diseases or conditions have long incubation periods. A negative test is not a guarantee the animal does not have a certain disease.

Introduction of a new animal into a home carries certain risks that must be assumed solely by the adopting party. Cocker Spaniel Rescue is not liable for damages that may result from such an introduction.
Your signature on this agreement is your promise to:

  1. Protect your dog from heartworms year around by using monthly heartworm preventative,
  2. Keep your dog inside except for potty breaks and exercise,
  3. Provide good quality dog food and water on a daily basis,
  4. Provide medical attention as needed and annual immunizations,
  5. Have the dog groomed a minimum of 6 times a year,
  6. Return the dog to Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas if you can no longer care for the dog, and
  7. Give unconditional love through sickness and health, and especially in old age.
When you adopt an animal from Cocker Spaniel Rescue, the dog will have a collar and ID tag. The tag is registered to this organization. You are strongly urged to have your own ID tag made immediately. If the dog is running loose, picked up by Animal Control or a Good Samaritan, and Cocker Spaniel Rescue is contacted, we reserve the right to refuse to return the dog to you.

Your signature on the adoption application certifies that all the information is accurate and truthful. If we discover the information on the application is false or misleading, we reserve the right to confiscate the dog.

Cocker Spaniel Rescue is an organization operating as a community service with the intent to do only good and no harm.

ANY DOG ADOPTED MUST BE TAKEN TO YOUR VETERINARIAN WITHIN THREE WEEKS TO GET HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE.

YOUR SIGNATURE(S) IS YOUR PROMISE TO PROVIDE THE MEDICAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS OF YOUR PET FOR THE REST OF ITS NATURAL LIFE. IF, AT ANY TIME YOU CAN NO LONGER KEEP YOUR COCKER, THE DOG IS TO BE RETURNED TO COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE.

For questions or assistance, HOTLINE number is 713 208-1314.

Meeting Dogs

After an applicant is approved a visit to meet the dog(s) in which the applicant is interested can be arranged. Since we do not operate a facility, the best way to meet dogs is to attend an adoption. They are held throughout the greater Houston area, often at PetSmart stores. Adoption locations and times are posted below. Plan to arrive early during the adoption period to have the best selection. We do not "hold" dogs for more than an hour waiting for a prospective adopter to show up unless special arrangements have been made.

Foster parents often agree to show the dog(s) they have outside regular adoptions but it is at their convenience. Please be considerate of our volunteers' time by being prompt or cancelling appointments in advance. If the dogs in which you are interested are in different foster homes you may have to arrange several visits.

Adoption Locations

February 11, 2012
Saturday
11 AM - 2 PM

PetSmart
19945 Katy Freeway
SE Corner of I-10 and Fry Road
Katy, Texas
281-599-1125
Map
Standing adoption on every 2nd and 4th Saturday
February 18, 2012
Saturday
11 AM - 3 PM
We won't be at our usual locations,
Adoptions will be held at the
Cocker Inn Mardi Gras Parti and Cocker Kid Reunion
Advent Lutheran Church
5820 Pinemont Dr.
Houston, TX 77092
February 25, 2012
Saturday
11 AM - 2 PM
TWO LOCATIONS!!
PetSmart
104 E. Hwy 332
Lake Jackson, Texas
979-299-1266

Map
Standing adoption on every 4th Saturday
PetSmart
19945 Katy Freeway
SE Corner of I-10 and Fry Road
Katy, Texas
281-599-1125
Map
Standing adoption on every 2nd and 4th Saturday
March 3, 2012
Saturday
11 AM - 2 PM
TWO LOCATIONS!!
PetSmart
5415 West Loop South
(610 and 59)
Bellaire, Texas
713-661-5585
Map
Standing adoption on every 1st Saturday
PetSmart
17723 Tomball Pkwy
(Hwy 249 across from Willowbrook Mall)
Houston, TX
281-807-6197
Map
Standing adoption on every 1st Saturday

Finalizing an Adoption and Taking a Dog Home

If you are approved, attend an adoption event and find your "fur mate," you will be permitted to take it home. Please come prepared. The dog should have on a collar and a rescue tag. You need:
  • A check, cash or money order for $250 per dog adopted.
  • Photo identification.
  • Be prepared to sign the adoption contract.
  • A leash,
  • A crate is advisable to safely haul the dog home in the car, and
  • Cleaning supplies - paper towels, plastic bags, wet wipes and/or disinfecting wipes.

After the Adoption

  • Leave the CSR tag on the collar until you have a tag made with your phone number(s) and put it on the dog's collar. This should be done ASAP.
  • Should your dog get lost, please let Cocker Spaniel Rescue know. Call the hot line at 713 208-1314 to leave a message and e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net .
  • If you don't receive health records when you pick up the dog you should receive them in the mail within the next two weeks. If not, either call the hot line at 713 208-1314 and leave a message or e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net .
  • Make an appointment to take the dog to the vet within the first three weeks you have the dog. You also need to purchase heartworm preventative at this vet visit.
  • If you adopt a dog who has been through heartworm treatment, it may test positive for heartworms for six months or more. A dog must stay on HeartGard brand heartworm preventative for the first six months after heartworm treatment. After six months you can change to whatever heartworm preventative you choose. If your dog just completed heartworm treatment (you will be told if this is the case) it should not participate in exercise that raises its heart rate such as running or playing fetch.
  • Should your veterinarian diagnosis any major health issues, please contact CSR before starting treatment. Call the hotline at 713 208-1314, e-mail cockerinfo@swbell.net or contact the foster parent.
  • If you have any behavior issues or health questions, please feel free to contact CSR.

Return Policy

Despite our rigorous screening process inevitably some dogs don't work out or people's circumstances change and they need to return a dog adopted from CSR.

During the first thirty days the dog can be exchanged for another or the adoption fee returned.

Our expectation is that you will keep your commitment (as per the signed agreement) and will keep your pet through sickness and health, through the arrival of new babies, new spouses, new pets or new residences, and especially in old age. However, we are also realists and know some people won't take this commitment seriously. Consequently we take the dog back at any time.

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas has the right to either deny or approve applications without explanation. Approval should not be construed to mean the applicant can select any dog. If we feel a specific dog(s) is not a good match, we may still refuse to adopt to you.

Out of State Adoptions

Out of state adoptions are done under the following conditions.
  • First time applicants are approved only if we can verify through your veterinarian that you immunize and keep your dog on heart worm preventative.
  • Occasionally we may be able to arrange a home visit but generally this is not practical.
  • We prefer approved out of state adopters come to Houston and meet the dog they want to adopt and transport the dog back home.
  • However, we also recognize a visit to Houston may not be feasible and we ship dogs.
  • In addition to the standard adoption fee, the adopter pays transportation costs. If the dog is shipped by air this includes providing an airline approved crate, health certificate and airfare. Our preferred shipping carrier is Continental Airlines. The flight booked must be direct out of Houston Intercontinental to a city near your home. No layovers or connecting flights. We do not ship during the summer.
  • If the adoption does not work out, the dog must be returned to Cocker Spaniel Rescue at the adopter's expense.
OnLine Adoption Form

We strive to respond promptly to On-Line applications.
If you have not been contacted within 3 days of submitting an application, please send an email to:
cockerinfo@swbell.net